ESPN REVIEW: Agree 💯 Charles Barkley showing love to Mr MVP Nikola Jokic : “No super team, no drama, they make me feel good about my sport”iam so greatfull to have you here….. full article ⬇️⬇️
ESPN REVIEW: Agree 💯 Charles Barkley showing love to Mr MVP Nikola Jokic : “No super team, no drama, they make me feel good about my sport”iam so greatfull to have you here….. full article ⬇️⬇️
Denver, CO —** In a sports world often dominated by headlines about drama, trades, and superteams, one NBA legend is speaking out in appreciation of the kind of basketball that stays true to the game’s roots. In a recent segment aired on ESPN, Hall of Famer and TNT analyst **Charles Barkley** offered heartfelt praise for **Denver Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokić**, calling the Serbian center a refreshing throwback in a modern era driven by spectacle.
No super team. No drama. He makes me feel good about my sport,” Barkley said during a roundtable discussion on the Nuggets’ latest playoff success. “I’m so grateful to have Nikola Jokić in the NBA right now.
Nikola Jokić, known affectionately as “The Joker,” has led the Denver Nuggets to elite status through nothing but elite play, unselfishness, and leadership. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Jokić has not jumped teams, chased headlines, or sought the spotlight. Instead, he has let his game do the talking.
His style of play is cerebral and selfless — averaging near triple-doubles season after season while making everyone around him better. Whether it’s threading passes few others can see, dominating the boards, or hitting a clutch jumper, Jokić is the embodiment of fundamental basketball.
Charles Barkley’s respect means a lot in the NBA community. A former league MVP himself, Barkley has always valued grit, loyalty, and team-first mentality — principles Jokić embodies fully.
He plays the game the right way,” Barkley continued. “He doesn’t need a superteam, he doesn’t beg for the spotlight, and he’s leading his team to wins through basketball IQ and effort. That’s what the game should be about.”
It’s no surprise that Barkley would connect so strongly with Jokić. Both players are/were unconventional big men with supreme passing abilities and a rugged style of play, even if Jokić’s finesse far exceeds what most centers have ever shown.
After Barkley’s comments aired, social media erupted with agreement. Fans praised Barkley for highlighting what many have felt for years — that Jokić is a rare kind of superstar.
Charles Barkley is spot-on. Jokić gives us hope in a game increasingly about clout, not craft,”** wrote one fan on Twitter.
Even fellow NBA players and coaches acknowledged Barkley’s comments. Warriors coach **Steve Kerr** remarked that Jokić is “the smartest player on the floor every night,” and Celtics legend **Paul Pierce** tweeted, “It’s all facts. Jokić is the MVP of the league and the soul of real basketball.
When asked about Barkley’s remarks during a postgame interview, Jokić downplayed the attention in his usual humble tone.
It’s nice, of course, but I just want to help my team win,” Jokić said. “I don’t think about superteams or drama. We play together. That’s what matters.”
This kind of humility is part of what endears him to fans and veterans like Barkley alike. In a league full of egos and narratives, Jokić stands apart as someone focused solely on team success.
Nikola Jokić may not always dominate the headlines with flashy quotes or off-court antics, but his dominance on the hardwood is unmistakable. His presence in the NBA is a reminder of what basketball can be when played the right way — selfless, smart, and team-oriented.
As Charles Barkley summed it up best:
Jokić is why I fell in love with basketball in the first place. And I’m just grateful he’s in the league today.
